With nonstop caregiving demands, getting away to a quiet place to read Scripture or pray can sometimes feel impossible. As special needs parents, we’ve learned to be creative, right?
Let’s apply our creativity and thinking outside the box to grow closer to God in the midst of our packed day.
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I’ve discovered that I can nurture my relationship with God through brief moments all throughout the day, as opposed to trying to find a length of time to steal away. Since then, I’ve been much more successful at connecting with God and growing deeper in my faith. Those longer times are still important when possible, but in the reality of our days, we have to adapt sometimes.
So, let’s practice three simple ways we can nurture our faith in the midst of our busy and stressful day.
1. Breath Prayer
This exercise is easy to do, and it can help us feel closer to God, lower our stress and anxiety levels, and give us a sense of peace and calm.
Get comfortable in your chair. Take a slow, deep breath in. Gently inhale through your nose. Feel the air coming in through your nose and flowing into your lungs. Then slowly exhale through your mouth like you’re blowing bubbles. Let’s do this two more times.
Now, as you inhale say in your mind, “Cover me in your peace.” As you exhale pray, “I give you my worries.” Do this three more times.
It may take practice to become comfortable with this exercise. But I encourage you to try it again later today. Here are some other phrases you can pray:
Breathe In: “I accept your help, God.”/ Breathe Out: “I hand you my anxieties.”
or
Breathe In: “Fill me with your calmness,”/ Breathe Out: “I release my stress to you.”
You can use any phrases that you like.
2. Focus on One Verse
Making a plan to read long Scripture passages can feel overwhelming. It’s very important we read longer passages.
But sometimes meditating on just one verse can help us go deeper in our connection with God.
I love having the Free YouVersion Bible App on my phone. You can download it and always have the Bible with you.
You can pick one verse for each day. Today, let’s pray the verse 1 Peter 5:7. “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” Slowly read it, letting the words soak in. Take slow, deep breaths as you read the verse two more times. Try to memorize it so you can pray God’s promise to you throughout the day.
Just sit for a couple of minutes meditating on the verse.
Here are some other verses to choose from:
“‘Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,’ says the Lord, who has compassion on you” (Isaiah 54:10).
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13).
“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety” (Psalm 4:8).
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you” (Isaiah 26:3).
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).
You can choose any verse to focus on.
Read more about Moving from Worry to God’s Peace.
3. Name and Release
Allow yourself to notice what you’re thinking and feeling. How are you feeling in your body? Do you notice any tension anywhere? Maybe in your shoulders, jaw, or stomach?
What emotions come up?
Now, close your eyes and imagine that you are sitting on a bank watching a quiet brook. Each one of your thoughts is a leaf lazily floating downstream. When you have an anxious or painful thought, pick up a leaf, name it that thought or emotion, then put it back down in the stream to release it to God. Watch it float out of sight. Let’s practice this for just a minute. Do this each time throughout your day when you notice a hard emotion or thought. Release your worries to God and receive His help and comfort.
Open your eyes. How do you feel?
How do you connect with God throughout your busy day?
Join the conversation by leaving a comment below.
Blessings,
Kristin
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Kristin Faith Evans is an author, a speaker, a mental health therapist, and a special needs mom. Her greatest passion is walking with others on their journey to deeper faith and emotional healing. As a Licensed Masters Social Worker and with her Masters in Christian Education, she has served in youth, camping, and retreat ministries and is experienced in Christian counseling, couples and family therapy, substance abuse treatment, and crisis counseling. Kristin lives with her husband, Todd, and their two children in the Nashville, TN area. When she is not enjoying life with her family, writing or working with clients, you can find Kristin training for triathlons, reading, or simply being out in nature. Visit her author website at www.KristinFaithEvans.com
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